Motion NDM6121 as amended:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of good local government in contributing towards the local economy, health service and educational outcomes.

2. Regrets that too many public services have been ‘poor and patchy’ and characterised by a ‘poverty of ambition’, as described by the Williams Commission.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) increase accountability of local government through electoral arrangements and lowering the voting age to 16;

(b) examine the way in which local government finance can be reformed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable system;

(c) continue to examine the case for a nationally decided set of pay scales, terms and conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework; and

(d) establish regional arrangements as part of the Welsh Government’s local government reform for improved regional cooperation between existing local authorities.